The Editor, Sir:

Please publish this as an open letter to the Bank of Jamaica.

Dear Sirs,

Under the 'The Proceeds of Crime Act' (POCA) 2007, 'financial institutions are requesting private information from their clients including source of funds for all transactions.' These are my experiences with this silly and ridiculous POCA.

1. I have just received a form from my motor insurance company that states that I must say what source of funds is being used to pay my premium of J$4,000 and I must attach a utility bill or credit card statement to show proof of my address. They say that this is a requirement under the POCA. I have been doing business with this insurance company for 14 years and they have been sending information to my address all these years, but now it is compulsory for me to send them my private information to show proof of address. I wonder, what are the real reasons behind the request of a utility bill or credit card statements?

Refused to comply

2. I went to Western Union to send J$3,000 to my elderly aunt in St Elizabeth and I was quizzed thoroughly by the clerk, in keeping with the POCA. She told me that she needed to know my source of fund, for the $3,000. When I told her 'salary', she requested the name and address of my workplace and my occupation. I did not know what she planned to do with this information about my workplace so I refused to comply.

I told the Western Union clerk to write that I got the $3,000 from baking and selling grater cakes. She told me that, under POCA, she cannot accept this information unless I show her proof that I have been selling grater cakes. I was unable to send the money because I did not produce my occupation and name of place of work and, of course, I had no proof for the grater cakes sale. Under the POCA, my poor aunt could not get the money I promised her.

Information needed

3. I went to a financial institution to open a current account so that I can use cheque leaves instead of credit cards. I got tired of having a credit card balance and am trying to get my life in order. I have had a savings account with this financial institution for over 25 years. I asked the clerk to add the same beneficiary as on my savings accounts to this new account. I was told that it cannot be done since, under the POCA, the Bank of Jamaica now needs information on all account-holders. I told her that a beneficiary is not an account-holder but she refused and said they are, in fact, account-holders with lesser rights.

The clerk gave me a form to give to the beneficiary to fill out. I have not done so as yet because, under the POCA, I would have to disclose to my beneficiary that I have $50,000 saved and then I may have to start hoping and praying that she does not get it into her head to get rid of me to collect this money.

Is this how this POCA is supposed to work? Is the main purpose of this act to harass and erase the privacy of the Jamaican people? Can this Act be revisited? Have you solved any money laundering and crime problems this way? Somebody help me, please!

I am, etc.,

SANDIE WALKER

Sanwalker@hotmail.com